Bishop Henry Juma Odonya presided over the celebration of Holy Mass to welcome new members into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Society, coinciding with the commemoration of Saint Margaret, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the Catholic Diocese of Kitale.
The event was attended by members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Society from various parishes across the diocese, who gathered to participate in this significant act of faith and to strengthen their commitment to following Jesus Christ.
In his homily, Bishop Odonya urged members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus group not to waver in their faith when faced with life’s various challenges. Instead, he encouraged them to continue placing their trust in Jesus Christ, who serves as the true anchor in the life of a Christian.
He emphasized that, as individuals who recognize themselves as friends of Jesus, they should communicate with Him through prayer—sharing their needs, anxieties, and challenges—while trusting that He is a true friend who will never abandon them during difficult times.
Furthermore, he exhorted them not to fear human beings, nor to allow threats, mockery, or life’s challenges to weaken their resolve in bearing witness to Christ. He reminded them to rely on the all-powerful God rather than fearing people, whose power cannot be compared to the might of God. Reflecting on the life of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, whom the Church commemorates today, Bishop Odonya described her as a saint who dedicated herself completely to Christ—persisting in prayer, cherishing the Holy Eucharist, and spending much time in adoration of Jesus present in that Sacrament.
He noted that Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque led a profound spiritual life and was renowned for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; she received revelations that helped to further spread this devotion throughout the Church.
Drawing from this example, Bishop Odonya urged members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus community to strengthen their prayer lives and deepen their love for the Holy Eucharist. He emphasized the importance of spending time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to fortify their relationship with Him and to learn to live in accordance with His will.
Discussing the history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop Odonya reminded the faithful of the importance of recognizing and reflecting upon the great mercy of God, as manifested through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He encouraged them to follow the example of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque by embracing this mercy and sharing it with others.
He emphasized that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a symbol of God’s boundless love and mercy for humanity; therefore, the faithful should continue to pray that God may fill the world, the Church, and society with a spirit of mercy, peace, and love.
Furthermore, he urged the new members welcomed into the group to be merciful, forgiving, and loving toward others, just as Jesus loves them. He exhorted them to shun the tendency toward revenge and hatred, and instead become instruments of reconciliation and witnesses to God’s mercy within their families, their communities, and society at large.
Bishop Odonya stressed that being a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus should not be merely a title, but a calling to live a life that reflects the love and mercy of Christ. In this sense, he encouraged the members to be missionaries of God’s mercy through their actions, their words, and the way they treat others.
He called upon them to lead lives that inspire others to come to know and follow Christ, so that through their daily witness, more people may recognize God’s love and be drawn closer to Him. These celebrations have served as an opportunity for members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus group from various parishes within the Catholic Diocese of Kitale to come together, strengthen their faith, and be reminded of their duty to spread the love, compassion, and forgiveness of Christ in today’s world.